In October 2023, when the Dai Ngai 2 bridge project officially started construction across the Hau River connecting Cu Lao Dung district and Long Phu district, former Soc Trang province (now Dai Ngai commune and An Thanh commune (Can Tho city), the entire island land seemed to wake up. People could not hide their joy because the dream of a bridge across the Hau River that seemed very distant has now become a reality.
Since the groundbreaking day, the image of people standing by the riverbank, by the construction site to monitor the progress has become familiar. Each bridge span, each item being completed brings hope for more convenient travel, faster circulation of goods and reduced living costs.
Mr. Nguyen Van Quyet, a resident of An Thanh commune (Can Tho City), shared: "Everyone wants a bridge, but they think it's unlikely because the Hau River is vast and near the sea mouth. Our generation and many generations before have longed to have this bridge. Now, when I see the bridge in shape, I dare to believe it's true.
Mr. Bay Xuan, who has been attached to this land for a lifetime, said: "Since the day the South was completely liberated, there have been 3 major events in this island region, which are the largest road in the district, the national power grid crossing the Hau River and now the construction of Dai Ngai 2 bridge".
Mr. Phung Vu Phuong, the direct construction worker of Dai Ngai 2 bridge and also a son of Cu Lao Dung, shared: "I understand the hardships of people when dependent on ferries. That motivates me to try to complete the project soon. This is not only a job but also a responsibility to my homeland.
After 2 years of construction, Dai Ngai 2 bridge has been basically completed. On December 19, Can Tho City People's Committee temporarily opened to traffic for rudimentary vehicles and cars under 16 seats.
During the days the bridge was temporarily opened to traffic, islanders excitedly went to the bridge to admire the Hau River. Not only people from An Thanh and Cu Lao Dung communes, but also many people from the old center of Soc Trang province (now Soc Trang ward), more than 20km from the bridge, also came to witness firsthand the shape of the bridge connecting the two banks.
Mr. Huynh Van Tuan, a resident of An Thanh commune, emotionally said: "Every day I go to see how far the bridge is built. When the construction unit allows temporary traffic, everyone is happy. Every afternoon, people go up the bridge from one bank to the other, admiring the Hau River, their homeland, and feel happy.
According to Mr. Tuan, because it is an island commune, traveling by ferry across the shore to the old center of Soc Trang or Can Tho City is very inconvenient, especially in emergency cases where patients need to be transferred to another hospital. Regarding costs, each trip through Dai Ngai ferry for motorbikes is 6,000 VND/trip, and cars under 12 seats are priced at 40,000 VND/trip.
If going by Long Phu ferry, the time is about 30 minutes, while Dai Ngai ferry usually takes more time because it has to avoid overflowing islets. In case of catching up, people take 30 - 45 minutes to cross the river, and if waiting, it can take an hour. Officials and workers have to start working very early every day, especially in the rainy and windy season, crossing the ferry is even more difficult," Mr. Tuan informed.
Ms. Pham Thi Dao, a resident of An Thanh commune, expressed her joy when she saw Dai Ngai 2 bridge standing majestically across the Hau River. Although her family has a large land area within the project scope, she did not hesitate to hand over the site.
On September 19, 2023, Soc Trang Provincial People's Committee organized a ceremony to hand over land in Soc Trang province to Project Management Board 85 to implement the Dai Ngai bridge construction investment project. The project passes through Cu Lao Dung district with a total route length of 5.1km, a total land area recovered of 25.5ha, affecting 93 households. In just 19 days, the locality has completed the payment of compensation money, 100% of households agreed to hand over land to implement the project.
Dai Ngai 2 bridge is one of the two main bridges belonging to the Dai Ngai bridge construction investment project on National Highway 60. When the entire project is completed, the remaining ferry points on the river routes of coastal provinces of the Mekong Delta from Ca Mau to Ho Chi Minh City will be removed, contributing to connecting National Highway 60 smoothly, improving transport capacity and promoting socio-economic development in the southern coastal region.
